Your eyes marvel at the beautiful hill landscape trail before your eyes of this world as you and Suigetsu emerge from the woods, it was so breath taking. Suigetsu hearing your astonishing and thrilled gasp of childlike wonderment. While he carried you on his back, which he didn't seem to mind at all, though he was careful to make sure that you didn't hit his weapon. Though you legs where fine, he insisted on carrying you, after waking up to finding him carrying you on his back.
"Suigetsu, where are we?"you asks him kindly.
The young man thinks about it for a second before telling you."Somewhere..."
"..."you look at him, this wasn't the way back to Sunagakure looking back the way you both came."...Suigetsu?"
Scuffing silently, he really didn't want you asking question just let him lead you to where he wanted to take you, before heading back to the base. At least if he kept you hidden, then there was a chance he could keep you out of harms way."Yeah..."
He felt your grip on him tighten, though not to hold on more it was for either comfort or something else."...What happens...when you loose your forehead protector..."
"Are you still on that?"he was slightly irritated, but he knew you still bothered by it. Sighing to himself."Well, nothing really...mostly some become missing-nin of their village. Meaning they can't go back and stuff."
Hearing what he said scared you, guilt never rushed so quickly. The mere thought of not having your forehead protector thinking about what Naruto said. Burying your face in the back of his head. Making him stop, worried now."...Mr. Gaara..."you muffle his name.
Regretting saying what he did to you, he didn't realize how much it still was bothering you. Though he was happy himself, having you for this long admitting he had become possessive over you in this short amount of time. Thinking quickly a thought comes to his mind.
In the Shredder's Hideout, Karin the only female member of Sasuke's Taka team. A fair skin young woman with crimson eyes, red hair in a unusual hairstyle:on the right it is short and spiky while on her left is longer and straighter. Her eyes framed with brown narrow glasses, dressed in a lavender uniform that exposes her navel, short black shorts, and long black thigh high stockings with black sandals.
Stood impatiently with Sasuke and the other member of his team, Jugo a tall, muscular young man who has spiky orange hair, red-orange eyes and calm disposition. Wearing black pants with dark cloak draped over the rest of his body. In the Shredder's own room with his top men, those mutated men, to rely information about the assault and Sasuke on the progress of the Shredder's and theirs newest addition to the team. While Sasuke briefed Shredder on what his newest tool did, passing every test given, following their orders without a second thought. Since he was charged with being her handler. Their impressive progression. Karin rolls her eyes, looking at the fully covered female, only able to see her deep blue eyes that reflected nothing back at all, they where empty and dark. She couldn't believe what she found about them, and hard to believe it as well.
Karin taps her foot, doing her best to keep her temper under check. Not because she wanted to, but because in the presence of the Shredder always seem to make her uneasy and scared. Her eyes slide to the calm deadly man, rethinking how and why they are in alliance with him, because of the Mask Man. The one over their group, had assigned them assist the Shredder seeing how both can benefit from the other. She didn't really know how, but from the look of these those pink brain squid like creatures called the Kraang that uses some sort of floater. They where repulsive looking things, that whenever she looked at them or they her with their eerie yellowish green eyes
That seem to eager to do something to her. How she wanted to just squish them all under her foot, but she couldn't react upon that. Focusing back to Sasuke still informing the Shredder when an annoying, cocky voice announces their presence. Rudely interrupting everyone.
Suigetsu.
The young man comes in nonchalantly not the least bit bothered by the fact he had just interrupted everyone. Much to the annoyance of the Shredder who glares hard his incompetence, sending a dark cold chill right to him. Locking eyes with Suigetsu's purple ones, making him stop in his tracks breaking a sweat being suffocated under the Shredder's eyes. Feeling his sweat start to come, the breath in him, became tight and constricted. Karin couldn't help but smirk at this, hoping that the Shredder might do away with him, one less thing her life. But her smile faded when she sensed from the man, an overwhelming power of coldness that made herself freeze and scream inside in agony. Her eyes look to him, this one man resinated such calm, yet powerful dark murderous aura around himself, rivaling or even greater than a certain Uchicha.
For the first time, she actually felt...bad for her teammate.
All eyes upon him, Suigetsu just stood there frozen as if the Shredder used some sort of ninjutsu or genjutsu on him. Without using his words, Suigetsu understood everything the Shredder would have said to him. Trying to figure out the right words to say, all he could do was slide his eyes to Sasuke who did not at all offer him any help. Leaving him on his own, looking back to the large man. Just who the heck was he? Able to sending out such threatening vibes.
Swallowing hard, he quickly mumbles his apology. Giving the young boy one last intimidating hard look, before releasing him. Feeling the tension now slowly melting away Sasuke speaks to him.
"You're late."he calmly snaps at him. Suigetsu looks into his demanding dark eyes that wanted an explanation and if it involved killing he would be dead. Knowing well he couldn't say that he stumbled across the one person whom the Shredder was actually targeting, he thinks quickly.
"Just, did a double check after the bombs where detonated."he tells him a sort of lie.
Sasuke looks harder at him along with Karin and the others."It took you, about almost three days to return...?"Karin scuffs at his fib."Did you even find out anything? Keeping us waiting like this, Jugo and I already gave our reports. What where you actually doing?"She looks at him sharply.
Suigetsu rolls his eyes at her, not evening caring."I don't answer to you, last I check you're not incharge."he taunts her, much to her annoyance. Snickering at his victory, because she had to keep her cool. Only for it be ruined by Shredder.
"No, but you have to answer to me."his dark commanding voice forces, Suigetsu to look to him. Finding instantly infront of him, catching him off guard almost jumping back when he bumped into someone, his eyes slide over to them, finding the Shredder's tool behind him. Before he could blink, he feels her cold fingers upon his brow, pressing on it.
Knowing full well, what she is capable of put slight fear in him. If she did this, then he was sure to face punishment way worse than death or anything that Orochimaru could do, from the Shredder. Plus, not to mention they would find out where he took May.
Swallowing hard, he regains the best he could his composure. Looking right at the Shredder."Truth be told, I ran into some of them Sunagakure shinobis, they sent a group of medic-nins there to investigate. And no, that one girl wasn't there. The bombs where triggered and they did manage to avoid the blast before it wiped them all out. After that, they did some more scooping around, then left, I did in a way get caught in the blast, being curios is my nature."he smirks to himself."Barely escaped it, if I didn't go into my liquid form which took some time for me to put myself back together. Hard, when you don't have a healer."he gives a smug smirk to Karin who growls at him.
He looks back to Shredder, his smirk wipes clean off his face from the man's eyes upon him. Broodingly standing over the white haired teen. Looking deep into his soul for any sign that his story had a crack in it, doing his best to stay firm. Suigetsu holds his breath, with one final look the Shredder accepts his story. Turning and walking back to his chair. Giving the teen a chance to breath, even his tool leaves him walking towards her Master, standing next to him.
Sasuke, turns to Shredder."You have your full report. She wasn't there, now what?"
"Master Shredder, perpahs y-"Tigerclaw starts only for him to silence, by Shredder holding up his hand.
Everyone stays quiet watching the man, thinking deeply. Suigetsu studies him carefully, was May really that much a thorn in his side? He often wondered why, only being told so much about her, from what he himself had seen, she didn't seem like someone as Shredder described.
"Master Shredder!"Stockman comes in, everyone looks at him. The flyman bows to the man, who allows him to come closer and speak. Holding flies in his hands, waving them wildly."The testzzzz, were zlightly zuccessful. We have a few, who managed to zurvie. They are at least 85 percent stable..."
"Only 85!?"Razor snarls at the man, who slightly cowers."How, good is that?"
"It'z better, than before."Stockman speaks up."Another thing..."he takes out a piece of paper, that was torn out of what seem to be a notebook. Showing it to everyone, the writing on the paper seem to be cryptic with its many symbols, lettering and words. But the picture on it, summed it up on what it could do. Demonstrating what seem to be opening a portal or something along those lines."Mazter, I've tried to replicate the procezz which, workz though only to a minimum zcale. Without the conductor, we cannot be- "
"Silence!"Shredder quickly hushes him, making the man cower frightfully."I am well, aware it worked the first time and we need the conductor inorder for it work again. We will send out the wave of test subjects with Razor, Tigerclaw you and along with you girl, I have something else in mind."he points to Karin who at first was against it but, quickly changes her mind."We need more bodies and more space. This area is becoming to crowded, I need for girl to be brought to me. Her phyisolgly is a keen to this. Draw her out anyway possible. Understood."
His men bow to him."Yes, Master Shredder."
Naruto and the group stop for a bit, to rest as night started filled the sky. Seeing how going at this rate would lead them nowhere, Kaskahi suggest everyone take rest for the evening. Afraid to loss the scent and after finding out May's scent was somewhat scattered in different places, he summons his nin-dogs to still follow the scents and report back when the right one was found. Setting up camp by a river, starting a fire to keep everyone warm.
Naruto took a walk down by the river to get some fresh water, cupping it he beings to drink it stopping thinking back to that feeling he received before he came to Sunagakure, from the explosion that 'killed' May. He didn't know why, but something in him scared about that. It was just all of sudden, he felt May if it was her. But he knew it was, he knew for some reason she wasn't dead even before Kiba picked up her scent. That day, she left to return back to Gaara's village he felt something from her that seem to stick to him. It made him feel bond to her, he wasn't sure how it was possible, even when he first met her. Everytime he made some sort of contact with her, something that started small seem to be manifesting.
It was like some sort of six sense, he wasn't really sure what it was. But it was something, that made him feel...was it tingly? Or something else? Whatever it was, made him react. Remembering, how he burst into Tsunade's office after the feeling he experienced before heading out to find May. He felt something bad happen to her, and he needed to come to Sunagakure. When he came, while everyone searched he was trying to locate her through some other means. It wasn't through ninjutsu, it was through something else, much deeper. The more he thought of it, compelled him to want to protect her.
Just thinking about it, he saw her in his mind looking at him with her innocent, child like, wonderment eyes. That always where big, bright and light, there was so much curiosity in them he could see. Which made him smile softly, just thinking about it. Only knowing her for a bit and interacting with her, when they had Ramen and when she came over to spend time with him making him food.
She was odd, logically explain many things even jokes. Despite that, he knew she was extremely sweet and kind, she had a strange way of viewing being kind wanting to repay back everyone who was kind to her. Thinking to when he stopped her with the others before she left, lecturing and scolding her about being proud of wearing the forehead protector that Gaara gave her. How timid she was to accept it, feeling she was not worthy to wear it. But after his words, she came to accept it, and it was there.
He knew, something blossomed with the two. Normally, it was him to make others gravitate to him, but this time it was reversed he gravitated to her. This strange aura/light that seem to shine like she was born into it. Imagine her smiling at him, made his desire to find her even more. Looking at his reflection in the water. Thinking back to what the Sunagakure councilman said about her.
Left a bitter taste in his mouth, if Gaara hadn't stepped in he surly would have done something. Enraged, by such a cruel comment from what he figured out she wasn't from his village obviously and became integrated into it. Making her new, and the fact the man wanted to just not care was horrible. He would not allow such a thing.
Balling up his fist at just the thought, that bastard knew nothing. Discrimination, something he never tolerated at all. So wrapped up on what his mind was thinking, not paying attention to person behind him.
Until he stood up and found Gaara standing silently next to him, frightening the poor boy. Who yelps, and quickly regains himself. Calming down seeing it was Gaara.
"Gaara, you scared me."Naruto exhales hard holding his heart.
Gaara kept looking up at the night sky, Naruto noticed he was looking hard at the stars."Why are you looking at the stars?"
Asking a question, making Gaara finally look at him for a few seconds. Then turns his eyes back to the stars."...I never really looked up...not realizing how much simple things I've missed."
Not following at all, what Gaara was saying. Though playing along stupidly."Uh...yeah."
Easily seeing that, Naruto didn't understand him. Gaara explains it a bit more."She's finds joy in the most simplest things, stars something she said she did with her sister."
Finally understanding, it was about May."Oh..."Naruto looks up at the dancing stars in the night sky. Smiling calmly, stopping to look at Gaara. Who kept his eyes upon the stars.
"You said, Naruto you had a feeling she was still alive."Gaara brings up. Turning away from the stars staring at the boy."...How is that?"Unsure if Gaara was asking, wanting to know or he demanded to know for either jealous or something else. He couldn't really pinpoint, but he knew he became nervous scratching the back of his head.
"Well...I uhhh..."Naruto tries to piece it together, though he couldn't get out the words. Twiddling with his thumbs looking away trying to avoid Gaara's eyes on him. Able to read him, Gaara accepts his wordless response.
Turning back to the stars."I shouldn't...have let her go."Gaara confess sorrowfully. Naruto looks at him. Seeing his words reflect upon the young Kazekage face."...I keep making careless decisions with her...not at all realizing the consequences that will follow. Twice, this has happened...no three times...missions that are to be demeaned easy only to...turn out to be a deathtrap. It's as if death itself is dangling a string infront of me, and I keep casting her as bait for her demise. She's always narrowly escapes, just in time...everytime with...a smile. Saying, it's alright...and everyone is safe. Caring less for her own safety. It's the least she can do, to repay my kindness. Saying that everytime..."
Naruto listens to his words, Gaara shuts his eyes tightly. Reflecting on everything he just said. He was really beating himself up, Naruto could clearly see it the guilt was eating away at him. Knowing Gaara for as long as he has, seeing him break his normal calm, stoic demeanor very little. The most, when he was brought back to life surprised to find his whole village surrounding him, coming to his rescue or when he knocked sense into him, back when they where younger, when he tired to to kill him and they fought.
Understanding though, Gaara holding May dear like anyone from his village. Relating to that, just like he did with his friends back at the village and everyone else. Reaching out a hand to his friend, placing it upon his shoulder, making Gaara lift his head up and open his eyes. Naruto smiles at him, looking up at the stars. Gaara does the samething, understanding what he was telling him. In his mind, he was sure he heard May telling him to look up at the stars or he might miss them.
"Don't worry, Gaara. We'll find May."Naruto assures him."Something tells me, she wouldn't want you worrying over her. Stay positive and keep your head up."
Nodding his head in agreement, Gaara gives his friend a small thankful smile. Feeling relieved to get what he had on his chest off. Patting him on the shoulders, Naruto takes his hand off. Gesturing back to the campsite which Gaara accompanies him.
With one of Kakashi's nin-dogs, hot on the trail of May's real scent. They find the right trail, stopping sniffing around to make sure. Marking the area with their urine, turning high tail to go back to Kakashi. Unaware of three figures that come from the shadows, the leader snickers maliciously. Looking the road ahead of them, bring up their doll cooing it affectionately to their face.
Back in the dark of the night Sunagakure, a cloth figure rushes out unseen. Looking around making sure they where concealed, seeing no one spotted them they leave the village running along the sand, getting as much distance between themselves and the village. Stopping, once they reach a certain area in the dessert, a well hidden cave. Stepping inside, they take off their hood, revealing Ryota.
He looks around for anyone, not seeing another body. Until..." Senior Ryota."the councilman almost jumps out of his skin, turning around quickly alarmed only to find Xavar there. The thug mutant fish, takes out his butterfly knife tossing it into one hand and then the other. Shaking his head."Tsk, tsk...Senior, Ryota...your intel, was false..."
Knowing what he meant, Ryota backs himself."My intel was right, I sent her out there like I said. But she some how managed to su-"before he could finish, Xaver kicks him hard in the stomach without a ounce of remorse. Shutting the man up, pain shot through him, on his hands and knees.
Xaver walks over to him, casually twirling his knife around standing over the man. Looking down at the scum."Did I asks, your excuse. Master Shredder is not a man of excuse...you had better ha-"
Ryota holds up his hand, pleafully."She's alive...I swear!"Xaver stops his foot from slamming onto the man. Looking at him with interest."Some ninjas from Konohagakure came to assist to see if she was alive, which she is...they went after her, along wit the Kazekage...I also sent three of our own to take her 'out' they're following the trail now..."
Xaver gives the man a much more closer look, seeing him cower infront of him. Made him smile in amusement. Grabbing hold of the man's collar."Are you sure?"Ryota nods his head, dropping the man Xaver lets him live."Very well, I will convey this to Master Shredder. Hopefully your little helpers, understand what they are in now...there will be some other men to meet up with them."
Ryota stands up adjusting himself. Looking at the mutant fish man. Who grabs his cloak and starts to walk out. Leaving the treacherous man.